Leading the Finnish restaurant scene, Demo continues to delight guests

By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Demo

Opening a restaurant he would enjoy himself was always chef Tommi Tuominen’s goal. Demo, Finland’s longest-standing Michelin-starred restaurant and the only one serving both lunch and dinner, has now moved from its cosy Punavuori corner to the top of a modern glass high-rise in vibrant Ruoholahti, offering sweeping views over the city and the Baltic Sea.

“When we originally started in 2003, the world was very different. Restaurants owned by chefs were not seen in Finland,” says Tuominen. “Demo was my first restaurant, and it was difficult to find the space for it, whereas we were invited into our current location. The building’s owners were looking for a top-class restaurant and asked us to move in. I was a little sceptical about moving at first, but it’s turned out to be an exciting new chapter for Demo.”

Tommi Tuominen is both chef and owner of Demo in Helsinki, Finland.

The atmosphere at Demo is relaxed and informal, a comfortable environment where guests can spend time with friends, colleagues, and family. The view over Helsinki and the water is vast and fantastic, with nearly 360-degree vistas. The food is fresh and flavourful, with highlights such as butter-poached Norwegian cod, Finnish venison, grilled scallops, and a variety of fresh, daily-baked breads.

Demo uses fresh, local ingredients to create stunning, complex flavours.

“Our concept is fairly traditional. We offer a fixed six-course meal with snacks, with the possibility of adding a few dishes here or there. Our lunch menu is four or six courses and allows for a tranquil dining experience in the middle of the day. We also have an extensive wine cellar with top-quality wines that can be purchased by the glass as well as the bottle,” says Tuominen.

Demo holds a special place in Helsinki’s restaurant scene. Its strong identity and forward-thinking style have made it a model for chef-led restaurants around Finland. Its ambitions now centre on settling into its striking new home and earning a second Michelin star. “Stars have nothing to do with a memorable dinner. Memorable moments over food are created by good company, high-quality service, and a warm atmosphere. Such moments can be created in all kinds of restaurants, and also at home,” says Tuominen. “But Michelin stars are an excellent way to find exceptionally good restaurants, especially in an unfamiliar country, and they help guide us to become the best restaurant we can be.”